Julie Budgen, Environmental Planner
Hi , I am Julie Budgen. I have been working in the environmental field since 1997. I specialize in project management, planning and regulations, report writing and reviewing for Environmental Impact Assessments, restoration and bioengineering. My career has taken me as far north as Atawapiskat, as far south as Brasil, as far east as Thailand and as far west as Vancouver Island. Some of the most exciting projects have been in the Caribbean, on Richard Branson’s island; and working with the Karen Hilltribe people in northern Thailand. I started my consulting career in Alberta, mud testing on the oil rigs. That as not something I would have even known about until I was there, learning about the world of oil and gas and how to make it low impact on the environment. My favorite area of environmental consulting is restoration – restoring nature in drastically disturbed sites. What a challenge! And what a reward to see grasses, shrubs and trees growing on slopes that were devastated by development (mining, oil and gas, windfarms and other developments). I am also a soils scientist and well versed in soil types, textures, structures and reclamation suitability. I have worked in marine environments for the past 7 years, monitoring, assessing shorelines and providing protection plans for the foreshore and marine environment. I have completed several detailed site assessments and provided develop construction methods, reclamation and vegetation and soil handling techniques to minimize the projects’ impact on the environment. I work with the clients and regulators (local and provincial) to ensure environmental impacts are minimized and regulations are met. The best advice I can give you is say yes, and go for it even if it scares you. Go for the opportunities that challenge you, and push your limits. You feel so much more alive and, even if you fail, you put yourself out there and did your best.
Good luck girls! Go for you your goals in life!
“If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity, but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it. ”
A note about internet safety:
Privacy online is important, please remember to keep your personal information to yourself.
You are encouraged to comment anonymously with your questions below, and the mentor will reply within the thread.